Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension (UK)

Written by Deluxe Law Chambers Published13 August 2026 Reading time4 min read Updated21 June 2026

Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extension (UK)

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa route was designed for overseas businesspeople who wished to invest in or establish and run a business in the UK as a sole trader, partnership member, or company director. Although the route is now closed to new applicants, existing visa holders may still be eligible to extend their leave or apply for settlement (ILR) under transitional arrangements.

Deluxe Law Chambers’ specialist immigration solicitors can advise you on Entrepreneur visa extensions, settlement applications, or alternative business visa routes now available.

What Was the Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa?

The Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa allowed foreign nationals to establish, join, or take over UK businesses. Although closed to new entrants, individuals already in this route may still extend their visa or qualify for settlement.

This visa required access to investment funds of:

  • £200,000 (standard route), or
  • £50,000 (for those switching from the Graduate Entrepreneur category or certain approved funding sources)

Entrepreneur visa holders were able to:

  • Live in the UK
  • Establish and actively run a UK business
  • Bring dependent family members
  • Apply for further leave
  • Qualify for accelerated ILR after 3 years (if 10 jobs were created or business turnover reached £5 million)

Extending Your Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa

If you currently hold leave as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur migrant, you may apply for an extension provided you have complied with the conditions of your initial grant.

The initial visa was typically granted for 3 years and 4 months. Before it expires, you may apply to extend your stay if you have:

  • Invested the required funds
  • Established or joined a UK business
  • Created qualifying jobs
  • Actively managed the business

Deadline for Tier 1 Entrepreneur Visa Extensions

Transitional deadlines apply:

  • If you did NOT previously hold a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa, you must have applied for extensions by 6 April 2023.
  • If you DID previously hold a Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa, the extension deadline was 6 July 2025.

If you are unsure about your immigration position, urgent legal advice is strongly recommended.

Eligibility Requirements for an Entrepreneur Visa Extension

You must demonstrate that you have:

1. Invested the Required Funds

  • At least £200,000 or £50,000, depending on your original route
  • Funds must have been genuinely invested into UK business activity

2. Registered Properly

You must have:

  • Registered as a company director or as self-employed within 6 months of initial visa grant
  • Continued to be registered within the 3 months before applying for extension

3. Created Employment

You must have created at least two full-time jobs for settled workers. These jobs must:

  • Have existed for a minimum of 12 months
  • Comply with UK employment law
  • Meet minimum wage and working hour requirements

4. Been Actively Involved in the Business

You must show that you:

  • Established, joined, or took over a UK business
  • Are actively running the business
  • Intend to continue operating it

5. Meet Other Immigration Requirements

  • English language at CEFR B1
  • Sufficient maintenance funds
  • No breach of immigration rules

Supporting Documents

Document requirements are technical and must be precise. Common documents include:

  • HMRC registration (self-employment) or Companies House records
  • Business accounts (audited or properly prepared unaudited accounts)
  • Evidence of investment (director’s loan agreements, bank statements, financial records)
  • PAYE records and Real Time Information submissions
  • Employee contracts, payslips, job descriptions, and payroll summaries

Errors in financial documentation are a frequent cause of refusal, so professional review is essential.

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Meet Your Senior Immigration Solicitor, who has over 11 years' experience at leading UK immigration law firms and is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. He has successfully represented thousands of clients across Greater Manchester in cases involving skilled worker visas, ILR, spouse visas, asylum claims, appeals, and Judicial Review proceedings.

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